Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02311480 2000-OS-19
WO 99/26566 PC'f/US98/23817
SPRING ACTION MALE CONDOM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to prophylactic devices and more particularly to
male condoms.
BACKGROUND OF THE PRIOR ART
The AIDS epidemic has caused more people to consider the use of
condoms for protection against transmission of viral and bacterial diseases.
In order
to assure protection the wall thicknesses of the condoms have been increased
to assure
that there will be no pin hole openings therein for transmission of bodily
fluids
carrying the disease vectors. Such protection however can reduce sensitivity
and user
sensation to a point where the alternative of no protection might be
encouraged.
Various types of male condoms have been proposed in which rings or
other formations are formed on the sheath of the condom for physiological
stimulation
by a female during use.
Examples of such condoms are shown in United States Patent Nos.
4,004,591 and 3,536,066 wherein loose fitting condoms are used to enhance use.
Other proposals include U.S. Design Patent No. 254,808 wherein outwardly
directed
bulges are illustrated.
United States Patent Nos. 5,027,831 and 5,082,004 disclose
arrangements wherein bulges are formed to move into an out of the condom
sheath to
enhance male stimulation during use.
None of these arrangements provide for a spring configuration
on the condom that will move relative to the condom to enhance stimulation to
both
males and females at the same time.
CA 02311480 2000-OS-19
wo ~n6ss~ rcr~s9sn3sm
2
STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES
The problem with prior art arrangements is that the various formations
on the sheath of the condom have been configured for stimulation for one user.
There
has been no provision where the condom itself has a spring action built into
its
configuration that will act to pleasurize both the male and female during
coitus.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a male
condom, which will be more acceptable to both a male and female during use.
A feature of the present invention is to provide an elastic male condom
that has a feature thereon that will produce spring action independently of
user action.
A fiuther feature of the present invention is to provide a spring on
spring condom.
Yet another feature of the present invention is to provide a condom that
can be fit on a user and that will be positioned during use to cause a portion
thereof to
have a spring action independent of the fitting of the condom on a user.
A further object is to provide for conjoint pleasure by the provision of
a formation on the sheath of a male condom that will act as a spring that will
actively
position the formation between an extended position and a retracted position
independently of any user action.
Still another feature of the invention is to provide a spring on spring condom
wherein one spring action is established by the elasticity of the condom
material and
wherein another spring action is established by a spring formation on the
condom that
is attributable to a combination of the shape of the spring formation and the
elasticity
of the condom material.
CA 02311480 2000-OS-19
WO 99/26566 PCTNS98/23817
3
Another object of the invention is to provide such spring action by
providing an integrally formed series of convolutions or channels in the end
of the
male condom that are arranged to be extended during use from a retracted
position to
an extended position wherein the integrally formed series of channels exert a
return
spring force that will move the channels independently of user action back to
the
retracted position.
A further feature is to provide for such convolutions or channels
formed in a helical shape near the closed end of the condom.
A further feature is to provide such convolutions or channels formed as
a series of circumferentially spaced segments that are axially spaced from a
second
series of circumferentially spaced segments and wherein longitudinal
separation
bands have a retracted position to maintain a first position of the
circumferentially
spaced segments and an extended stressed position when the circumferentially
spaced
segments are pulled apart during use that will act to return the segments to
their
retracted position.
A further feature is to provide such circumferentially spaced segments
as opposed pairs of arcuate segments.
A still further feature is to pmvide such circumferentially spaced
segments as arcuate segments staggered on opposite sides of the circumference
of the
condom.
Yet another feature is to provide such circumferentially spaced
segements as arcuate segments staggered on opposite sides of the circumference
of
the condom at staggered locations along the length of the condom.
A still further feature is to provide such channels as a series of
sinusoidal shapes formed around the tip of the condom and that are expandable
into
CA 02311480 2000-OS-19
WO 99/Z6566 PCTNS9$123817
4
an extended stressed position and wherein the sinusoidal shapes act to return
the
shapes to an unstressed retracted position.
A still further object of the present invention is a method for forming a
male condom including the steps of providing a condom having anyone of the
aforesaid spring shapes on the exterior of a dipping mold adjacent the end
thereof and
dipping the mold into an elastomeric material for forming a thin layer of
material
thereover that when removed from the mold will have the configuration of
anyone of
the embodiments of the spring on spring condoms of the present invention.
Other advantages of the present invention will be readily
appreciated, as the same become better understood by reference to the
following
detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying
drawings
wherein:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of the invention
showing a helically shaped spring on the end of an elastic spring sheath of a
male
condom;
Figure lA is a view like Figure 1 of another embodiment of the
invention;
Figure 2 is an end elevational view of the embodiment in Figure 1
looking in the direction of the arrows;
Figure 3 is a view of the helically shaped spring in an extended
stressed position and showing a relative unstressed retracted position
thereof;
Figure 4 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the
invention showing a circumferentially and longitudinally spaced arcuate shaped
spring on the end of an elastic spring sheath of a male condom;
Figure 5 is an end elevational view of the embodiment in Figure 1
looking in the direction of the arrows;
CA 02311480 2000-OS-19
WO 99/Z6566 PCT/US98/23817
S
Figure 6 is a view of the arcuate shaped spring in an extended stressed
position and showing a relative unstressed retracted position thereof;
Figure 7 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the
invention showing a sinusoidally shaped spring on the end of an elastic spring
sheath
of a male condom;
Figure 8 is an end elevational view of the embodiment in Figure 7
looking in the direction of the arrows;
Figure 9 is a view of the sinusoidal spring in an extended stressed
position and showing a relative unstressed retraction position thereof.
Figure 10 is a view of an embodiment having circumferentially spaced
segments as arcuate segments staggered on opposite sides of the circumference
of the
condom;
Figure 11 is a view of an embodiment having circumferentially spaced
segments as arcuate segments staggered on opposite sides of the circumference
of the
condom at staggered locations along the length of the condom; and
Figure 12 is a view of one embodiment of a mold for practicing the
method of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODI1VVIENTS
Figure 1 discloses a male condom having a tubular pouch or sheath 12
with an open end 14 and a closed end 16. The pouch has a small diameter
segment 18
formed from the open end 14 and an increased diameter segment 19 to a point
adjacent a helically shaped spring 20 adjacent the closed end 18.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the wall 22 of the
sheath 12 has an elasticity that will enable the condom to be fit on a user
and is
therefor a first spring because of such elasticity. The spring 20 provides a
second
spring action in the condom that will actively position between an extended
position
back to a retracted position. The spring 20 is formed integrally with the wall
22 and in
the first embodiment is shaped as a helical spring having a channel sectioned
CA 02311480 2006-03-09
6
convolutions 24 therein that extend radially outwardly of the wall 22 and are
wound
about the wall so as to form an additional spring action therein as will be
discussed.
The wall 22 and the convolutions 24 are thin membranes that enhance
sensation during use but are of sufficient strength and impermeability to
prevent wall
separations or pinprick hole configurations that might enable fluid
transmission
thereacross during use. Thus the wall 22 and the convolutions 24 thereon act
to
provide protection against AIDS or other social diseases.
Additionally, the convolutions 24 having a normally unstressed, axially
retracted position shown m Figure 1: When the condom is stretched axially, the
convolutions assume a second extended stressed position shown in Figure 3
wherein
the coils 20a, 20b, 20c of the helical spring 20 are parted from one another
so as to
impose a spring bias action that will return the spring 20 back to its
normally,
1 S unstressed, axially retracted position. Hence, in use, the male condom 10
cad be said
to be an "active" condom that will, by itself, have the potential for
imparting an
axially directed (vis-a-vis the length of the condom).pleasurable stroking
action to
both the male and female during coitus.
Figure 1 A shows an embodiment like Figure 1 wherein a tubular sheath 18'
has a helical coil 20' adjacent its closed end. The helical coil is~comprised
of one
helical coil with opposite ends 20'a, 20'b. In this embodiment, the width W of
the
helical coil is somewhat greater than in the embodiment of Figure l,
approximating the width of the sheath 18'.
Yet another feature of the present invention is to provide a condom that
can be fit on a user and that will be positioned during use to cause a portion
thereof to
have a spring action independent of the fitting of the condom on a user.
Thus, the embodiment of Figures 1-3 provides for such conjoint
pleasure by the provision of an end formation on the sheath of a male condom,
e.g.,
CA 02311480 2000-OS-19
WO 99/26566 PCT/US98/23817
7
the convolutions 24 that will act as a spring for actively positioning
the~formation
from an extended position caused by user actions back to a retracted position
when
released. Furthermore, in the embodiment of Figures 1-3 such spring action of
the
convolutions constitutes a "spring on spring" condom wherein one spring action
is
established by the elasticity of the condom material and wherein another
spring action
is established by a spring formation on the condom that is attributable to a
combination of the shape of the spring formation and the elasticity of the
condom
material. The increased diameter segment 19 separates the condom slightly from
the
user so that the spring on spring action will not be inhibited by too tight a
fit.
Figure 4.discloses a male condom 30 having a tubular pouch or sheath
32 with an open end 34 and a closed end 36. The pouch has a small diameter
segment
38 formed from the open end 34 to a large diameter segment 39 to a point
adjacent a
second spring 40 formed by an integrally formed series of convolutions 42 in
the end
of the male condom that are arranged to be extended during use from a
retracted
position to an extended position wherein the integrally formed series of
convolutions
42 are arranged on the end of the condom 30 to exert a return spring force
that will
move the convolutions back to the retracted position. In the embodiment of
Figure 4,
such series of convolutions 42 have a channel section and are formed as a
first series
of circumferentially spaced segments 42a-42b. The segments 42a-42b are axially
spaced from a second series of circumferentially spaced segments 42c-42d and
longitudinal separation bands 44 and 46 are provided at the spaces between the
segments. The bands 44, 46 have a retracted position to maintain the
circumferentially spaced and axially arranged segments 42a-42d in a first
unstressed
or retracted position on the end of the male condom 30. The bands 44, 46 have
an
extended stressed position wherein the circumferentially spaced segments 42a-
42b are
pulled apart from the segments 42c-42d during use. The bands 44, 46 act to
return the
segments to their retracted position independently of user movement.
As in the first embodiment, the wall 32a of the small diameter segment
38 and the large diameter segment 39 has an elasticity that will enable the
condom to
CA 02311480 2000-OS-19
WO 99126566 PCTNS9~238I7
8
be fit on a user and is therefor a first spring because of such elasticity.
The spring 40
provides a second spring action in the condom that will actively position the
extended
position caused by user actions back to a retracted position independently of
any user
action. The spring 40 is formed integrally with the wall 32a and as in the
first
embodiment the convolutions 42 extends radially outwardly of the wall 32a and
are
spaced circumferentially and axially about the wall so as to form an
additional spring
action therein like in the first embodiment of Figures 1-3. The large diameter
segment 39 separates the condom slightly from the user so that the spring on
spring
action will not be inhibited by too tight a fit.
As in the first embodiment of Figures 1-3, the embodiment of Figures
4-6 have convolutions 42 and a wall 32a that are thin membranes that enhance
sensation during use but are of sufficient strength and impermeability to
prevent wall
separations or pin prick hole configurations that might enable fluid
transmission
thereacross during use. Thus the wall 32a and the convolutions 42 thereon act
to
provide protection against A>DS or other social diseases.
The convolutions 42 have a normally unstressed, axially retracted
position shown in Figure 4. When the condom 30 is stretched axially, the
convolutions assume a second extended stressed position shown in Figure 6
wherein
the segments 42a-42b are parted from the segments 42c-42d and the bands 44, 46
are
stretched to impose a spring bias action that will return the spring 40 back
to its
normally, unstressed, axially retracted position. Hence, in use, the male
condom 30
can be said to be an "active" condom that will by itself have the potential
for
imparting an axially directed (vis-~.-vis the length of the condom)
pleasurable stroking
action to both the male and female during coitus, independently of any user
movement in the direction of the axially retracted position. Thus, the
embodiment of
Figures 4-6 provides for such conjoint pleasure by the provision of an end
formation
on the sheath of a male condom, e.g., the convolutions 42 and bands 44, 46
that will
act as a spring for actively positioning the formation fibm an extended
position
caused by user actions back to a retracted position independently of any user
action.
CA 02311480 2000-OS-19
wo ~n6s66 Pcrius9sn3si~
9
Furthermore, in the embodiment of Figures 4-6, as in the case of the
embodiment of
Figures 1-3 such spring action of the convolutions 42 and bands constitutes a
"spring
on spring" condom wherein one spring action is established by the elasticity
of the
condom material and wherein another spring action is established by a spring
formation on the condom that is attributable to a combination of the shape of
the
spring fonmation and the elasticity of the condom material.
Figures 7-9 discloses a male condom 50 having a tubular pouch or
sheath 52 with an open end 54 and a closed end 56. The pouch has a small
diameter
segment 58 formed from the open end 54 to a large diameter segment 59 to a
point
adjacent a sinusoidally shaped spring 60 adjacent the closed end 56.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the wall 62 of the
constant diameter segment has an elasticity that will enable the condom to be
fit on a
user and is therefor a first spring because of such elasticity. The spring 60
provides a
second spring action in the condom that will actively position the between an
extended position caused by user actions back to a retracted position
independently of
any user action. The spring 60 is formed integrally with the wall 62 and as in
the first
embodiment is shaped so as to provide convolutions 64-68 formed as channels
64a-
68a each having a sinusoidal shape formed around the tip of the condom and
that are
expandable into a extended stressed position wherein the sinusoidal shapes act
to
return the shapes to an unstressed retracted position. The convolutions 64-68
extend
radially outwardly of the wall 62 and are wound about the wall so as to form
an
additional spring action therein as will be discussed.
The wall 62 and the convolutions 64-68 are thin membranes that
enhance sensation during use but are of sufficient strength and impermeability
to
prevent wall separations or pinprick hole configurations that might enable
fluid
transmission thereacross during use. Thus the wall 62 and the convolutions 64-
68
thereon act to provide protection against AIDS or other social diseases. The
large
CA 02311480 2000-OS-19
WO 99/26566 PCTNS98/23817
diameter segment 59 separates the condom slightly from the user so that the
spring on
spring action will not be inhibited by too tight a fit.
Additionally, the convolutions 64-68 having a normally unstressed,
5 axially retract position shown in Figure 7. When the condom is stretched
axially, the
convolutions assume a second extended stressed position shown in Figure 9
wherein
the sinusoidally shaped coils 64-68 of the spring 60 are formed to have a
greater
spacing between the peaks and valleys of the sinusoidal shape so as to impose
a
spring bias action that will return the spring 60 back to its normally,
unstressed,
10 axially retracted position. Hence, in use, the male condom 50 can be said
to be an
"active" condom that will, by itself, have the potential for imparting an
axially
directed (vis-~-vis the length of the condom) pleasurable stroking action to
both the
male and female during coitus as the sinusoidally shaped convolutions move
relative
to the male and female as they are reshaped into their retracted position when
released
in the direction of the axially retracted position. Yet another feature of the
present
invention is to provide such a condom that can be fit on a user and that will
be
positioned during use to cause a portion thereof to have a spring action
independent of
the fitting of the condom on a user.
Thus, the embodiment of Figures 7-9 provides for such conjoint
pleasure by the provision of an end formation on the sheath of a male condom,
e.g.,
the convolutions 64-68 that will act as a spring for actively positioning the
formation
from an extended position caused by user actions back to a retracted position
independently of any user action. Furthermore, in the embodiment of Figures 7-
9 such
spring action of the convolutions constitutes a "spring on spring" condom
wherein one
spring action is established by the elasticity of the condom material and
wherein
another spring action is established by a spring formation on the condom that
is
attributable to a combination of the shape of the spring formation and the
elasticity of
the condom material.
CA 02311480 2000-OS-19
WO 99/26566 PCT/US98/238l7
11
In the embodiment of Figure 10, a male condom 70 is provided having
the shape and convolutions that comprise a series of circumferentially spaced
segments that are axially spaced from a second series of circumferentially
spaced
segments and wherein longitudinal separation bands have a retracted position
to
maintain a first position of the circumferentially spaced segments and an
extended
stressed position when the circumferentially spaced segments are pulled apart
during
use that will act to return the segments to their retracted position. In this
embodiment,
however the circumferentially spaced segments are formed as arcuate
convolutions or
channels ?2-78 as in the case of prior embodiments (in this embodiment one-
half
circles) but with it being understood that lesser arcuate shapes are also
contemplated.
Each of the half circles are staggered on opposite sides of the circumference
of the
condom. As in the previous embodiments the sheath is provided with a small
diameter segment 77 and a large diameter segment 79.
In the embodiment of Figure 11 a male condom 80 is shown with
circumferentially spaced segments that are arcuate segments 82, 84, 86
staggered on
opposite sides of the circumference of the condom at different spaced
locations along
the length of the condom. The sheath has a small diameter segment 88 and a
large
diameter segment 89.
The method of the present invention includes the steps of providing a
mold 90 having an elongated cylindrical portion 92 and an outer surface 94 on
one
end thereof defining a convolution 96 thereon defining a spring formation;
dipping
said mold into a liquid elastomeric material to form a thin elastic membrane
having a
first spring action and forming a pouch with an open end and a closed end with
a
tubular wall formed therebetween and including a convolution shaped in the
form of
the convolution on said mold and formed integrally of said tubular wall
adjacent said
closed end that will produce spring movement independently of the elasticity
of the
elastomeric material. Tracking the embodiments of male condom inventions
described
above, the method also contemplates the steps of providing a mold having
anyone of
the following configurations; a mold that is provided with a convolution
having a
CA 02311480 2000-OS-19
WO 99/26566 PCT/US98/23817
12
helical shaped outer surface defining a spring formation; a mold that is
provided with
a series of circumferentially spaced surface segments that are axially spaced
from a
second series of circumferentially spaced surface segments to form the spring
formation; a mold that is provided with circumferentially spaced surface
segments
formed as arcuate segments staggered on opposite sides of the circumference of
the
mold to form the spring formation; a mold that is provided with
circumferentially
spaced surface segments that are arcuate segments staggered on opposite sides
of the
circumference of the mold at staggered locations along the length of the mold
to form
the spring formation and a mold that is provided with surface convolutions
forming a
series of sinusoidal shapes formed around the tip of the mold to form the
spring
formation.
In the present invention the condom and the elastic material from
whence it is made can be of material having an elastic impermeable
characteristic
once shaped and removed from the mold. Examples of such materials include
substances such as natural rubber (e.g. latex); synthetic rubber (e.g.
silicone rubber);
polyurethane; and other elastic substances such as thermoplastic polyolefin
elastomers.
While the invention has been described in an illustrative manner it
should be understood that the invention may be practiced other than as
specifically
described herein and yet remain within the scope of the appended claims.
